Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-26

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SAW HIS FACE IN THE CLEANING EMBERs
OF THE FIRE.
usual, for drive, but this time / dared
not let my eyes search tho crowd MS ycster-
day, for saw that Mrs. Iceberg was watch
ing me closely
But suddenly we came 10 standstill;
there was crush of carriages ahead, and
for some moments wo were unable to go
on. 1t was during this delay l suddenly
heard an exclamation, and, turning my
head toward the side from whence it came,
encountered the gaze Of one who, for
moment, held me spcll-bound with terror
and amazemcnt. Surely remembered the
hard, ugly face, the keen, gray eyes, the
sc.fnt, whito hair. II was, 1t could be no
other than Miss Armund, who stood gazing
at INC, evidently lost in establishment at
seeing mo, for saw at orce that she recog-
uized me, and felt, as Always hal, sort
Of fear of her, and now ] turned pale,
actually shiveripg with terror, as l saw
she was about 10 ahght What did sha
oenn to dot
But just at that Instant our driver, an
noyed at the delay and seeing the way
cleared at last, gave our horses sharp cub
with tho whip and we were whirled away,
leaving Miss Armund, who had alighted,
looking after us with vacant stare.
Mrs Iceberg was too well bred TO ask
Questions, but saw that sho had noted the
whole occurrence and was full Of conjecture
as TO who the strango-lookng woman could
have been who had evidently recognizedme
ct sight But did not enlghten her. ]
could not, without giving details Il did not
care to disclose, for had hitherto passed as
an orphan, friend of Mrs. Kent had left
and whom she had adopted, and no one ever
dreamed of my being founding, reared by
charity; and, though they were kind and
generous people, dared not trust to their
aristocratic ears the true story Of my life,
hoping l could hold my place, as before,
among them. Mrs. Kent, too, had thought
it best TO say nothing in regard to my pa
rentage, though she as well as myself
would have scorned 10 have told falsehood
concerning it. We merely kept silent
thereby NOT committing ourselves TO our
friends
Our drive home was silent and depressed
evidently Mrs. Iceberg expected an ex-
planation, and was somewhat angry because
It did not come. And l was embarrassed
and vexed that could not give it, and SO we
arrived home and betook ourselves to our
respective tasks, each feeling hurt at the
other, yet without cause.
How it would have ended know not
Whether should have confessed to Mrs.
Iceberg the strange circumstances that sur
rounded my intimacy with Miss Armund, OF
whether should havo preserved sulleu
and discreet silence on the subject, 1 can
not say. But fate had arranged different
explanation for all these petty difficulties,
one of which we never dreamed
We had arranged to attend the opera that
evening; yet little thought what strange
chain of events were being forged for mt,
as finished my toilet, and posed an unnec-
essary length of time before the cheval
glass, viewing the effect Of now costume
Of cherry and cream satin whose lustrous
folds glistened in the gas light of the pretty
room where / stood. A vain and thought
less girl after all my hard lessons of power
ty and seclusion, often found myself won
dering that I could be so happy, l, who had
once seemed only born for a drudge or 70
be perpetual nuisance ever in somebody's
way.
sat down idly after dressing and 1t be
ing early, / took up paper and began to
read it carelossly at first, but finally namc
struck my eye that made me at once won.
derfully interested-it was the name Of
Irving Barrett For years had scarcely
thought of the boy, for however his sister
might interest me in regard to her friend
ship with Oliver Dudley, had never q
thought in common with her brothers.
But imagine my surprise and horror at
finding his name at the head Of the criminal
calendar, accused of stabbing fellow stu
dent fatally while engaged in drunken
carouse. He had fought the officers, so the
paper stated, like wild beast, but had
finally boon overpowcred and lodged in Jail
where he now lay awaiting trial
] read tho account over twice before
fairly comprehended that Irving Barrett
was an accused murderer, and very likely
TO suffer the fulfpenalty Of the law, as pub
lie opinion seemed much against him. Twas
shocked aud grieved at this, for, though
Irving had ever been my enemy, and his
proud sister had scorned me as she would
leper, could not but feel this must be
terrible blow to her and her naughty mother
And Berthe, dear, brave, manly little Bertia,
how this keen disgrace would wound him
My heart achod for him.
But my meditations were brought to q
close by the entrance Of tho servant with
word that all were ready and waiting for
inc. Hastily donned my cloak and hat and
descended, expecting TO find my escort, Mr..
Balfour, waiting for me; but, instead, q
note had been sent saying he had just re-
ceiyed telegram from home announcing
the dangerous illness Of his father and ask
ing his immediate return; 30 l must excuse
him from attending, though 10 forego this
pleasure, no said, was disappointment
yet duty TO his father came first. And
then he had hastily scrubbed a goodbye
and strict injunction not TO forget him,
though in tho exciting scenes that followed
it is doubtful II a thought Of him over
crossed my mind.
The opera-house was filed 10 overflow
ing. The elite OF tho whole city were there,
1t seemed, and | gnzed over the brilliant
ncene whore the bright flashes OF diamonds,
the soft glow OF silks and satins, waving
plumes, bright faces and lovely forms,
seemed TO give II the likeness OF iairy land,
with strange dreamy restfulness, ns II all
caro- and suffering were lifted for a little
whilo from my heart 1t was the lull be-
fore the storm, 1t seemed 10 mo afterwards.
With crash the music broke forth, and
all eyes were turned instantly 10 the stage,
for new star was to sing, and the music
loving world was on the quf vive. Tho first
part was over; there was q lull, and then
the curtain, slowly rising, revealed Madam
L., the celebrated singer whose beauty
and music world npplauded, standing be-
fore US, 10 tho day-of my death I shall